Category: MINDANAO

Blame it on luck, I was able to see Davao even for just a day. And what can I possibly accomplish in Davao within 24 hours? Ahaha!

Well, for one, I had to find out what is that famous place to spend a satisfying lunch or dinner. Then, I was introduced to Colasa’s.

There is something different with the way they marinate their barbecues. I liked it in a special way and no questions asked as to why the place has been so popular with tourists and locals alike. During our visit, the dining area was jam-packed though their staff were efficient enough to manage serving everyone.

Next is where to shop in Davao, shopaholic mode. =) Aside from the malls, the shopping mecca of Davao is Aldevinco. I have to borrow some pictures from fellow bloggers. I forgot my camera out of excitement. Though these stuff I got from the whole block of shops selling accessories. Blings, vintage jewelry, handcrafted stuff, t-shirts, bags, foodie goodies ideal for pasalubong, even shawls. I have bought some for my friends back home.

Aldevinco’s…

For the fun of it, I had to try their famous durian.

Durian…(seriously, it’s famous but I don’t like it’s smell though it tastes okay).

And being a coffee lover that I am, they brought me to this local coffee shop, Tata Benito’s. It’s a local version of Starbucks, Seattle, Coffee bean and tea leaf, etc. Ambiance was homey, friendly staff and of course cheaper cups of your favorite flavored coffee.

It’s also nice to spot a shop selling imported goods (over-runs) just adjacent to where we had our coffee and some pastries.

Bought some nice shirts from here..

Another discovery I’ve made was that Davao has hundreds of spas to choose from. You can find them just behind one another along the streets. It’s a typically “Be my guest!” set-up with their scented receiving areas equipped with the soothing sound of rippling water that adds impact to the total ambiance. We highlighted the day with a relaxing massage erasing all the pressures and stress of leaving Davao so soon. I missed a lot from the place and I hope to come back soon.

Like this:

I have discovered a lot in traveling alone. Not only of places but self-discoveries as well. It gives you the opportunity to appreciate more the people that you have, the things you own, the friends you’ve known, it gives you more excitement at the thought of going back home.

It is them that you think of each time you travel alone. Being in Cagayan De Orofor a few weeks gave me that kind of feeling. From where I stayed, it is only a few hours to witness the Maria Cristina falls, there are other falls that are equally as stunning as Maria Cristina falls, there are also Zip-lining spots, adventures like spelunking, white-water rafting, beaches of Camiguin, among others.

I did not take the opportunity to see them in my own eyes, I want to see them if I am with my loved-ones, instead, I choose to enjoy my solitude, writing on top of working and scrap-booking. I was thinking of how seldom I get chances like this to be alone, so I grabbed-it and own all of my time to do things I am passionate of but can’t do in the past due to tons of works to prioritize and responsibilities.

Taking a break from it, I am sometimes dragged by my own feet to just enjoy whatever I will encounter because I had to feed my stomach on top of feeding my mind.

Night Cafe is highly recommended, so I opted to spend dinner and see why it is famous.

A street-long display of foods to choose from frequented by locals and tourists alike especially during Fridays when the stalls are plenty.

It is very similar to Banchetto in Ortigas and Larsian in Cebu.

Night park or Night cafe…

Much as I wanted to keep private my spirituality, my Sundays in CDO aren’t complete without visiting St. Agustin Cathedral .

The city girl in me prevails when I discovered myself being lured by Lim ket kai mall. This is the most popular mall in CDO, I spent most of my lunches and dinners there, or get my food from there and bring it to my place and eat alone in front of the television.

I kept coming back to Vienna kaffee haus, an Austrian resto where I have in alternates: beef & mushroom, crepes, coffee, blueberry pie (not a cheesecake, I noticed there’s no layers of graham though tastes good as well) as most of the restos are what we already have in Manila. I need something different. However for a few times, I found myself having my favorites from Pancake house.

I’ve also tried getting some of my groceries from Gaisano mall and some stuff for my scrapbooks. (–,) You wouldn’t believe, even a butter holder and a glass canister I’ve bought to bring home for our kitchen. It is also from this mall, I found this irresistible red digicam and bought it instantly. I wondered why we do not have Gaisano in Manila, they have pretty items I consider to be unique and good finds.

Malling…

Some of my supplies, I habitually bought from this cute shop in Lim ket kai. They also a warehouse like store selling Mango items.

I asked them to put up a branch in Manila. It instantly became my favorite. =)

A whole block selling orchids is just in front of Lim Ket kai.

Orchids from CDO!

My stay here was one of the most peaceful. And I intend to go back one day. In the meantime, I’ll put them first in my scrapbook… (–,)

I bought at least 4 shirts for my fam.

I’ve always knew while my plane was about to take off, that I am definitely coming back to CDO.

Like this:

More than a decade has passed, I can still recall my bosses at work flying to Gensan for a couple of times due to a project closed in that part of Mindanao. Young as I was, I used to wonder if I ever had that chance, what am I to see in Gensan? Thinking of it, a World Champion Filipino boxer comes first to my mind and the tunas taking the second place. So what else?

Even if flying to Gensan City meant work for me, reaching a place for the first time, the excitement has always been there.

I should be thankful for a “wifi zone”… though I had to go down from my room from time to time…

Since I can’t do without coffee, I had to rent a tricycle to go around the city and locate the nearest coffee shop. Much to my surprise, there are a lot. I found this one.

Coffee 101..Gensan’s version of Starbucks, I assumed.

Just beside it, is a famous restaurant. As recommended by my staff, I had to try it during one weekend.

My visit at that time, was election month, as advised, stay indoors as much as possible. I listened at times, but most of the time, I did not.

In my hotel…And another…This is Robinson;s Mall’s facade…Been here twice…incidentally, one of the therapist who handled me is from my hometown, Laguna.A piped-in music is playing..I especially like their shower. so thin and soft to the skin.These tiny yellow flowers abound in the sidewalks..lovely to behold.And since my cashier is in yellow, I had to convince her for a souvenir photo. =)It was a peaceful yet “missing my loved ones back home” stay…Thankful that my flight back home is in the afternoon, I went to Citra Mina to hoard tuna, blue marlin & gindaras. Only to find out later that they have a branch in Sucat. ehehe..Staff here are very accommodating, very professional, and they packed our boxes neatly enough for the officers to okay it boarding time.

I’m sorry to misplaced my photos from the Tuna park, from where I witnessed the whopping, over-sized fish like literally “Big fish”…

I just got this one…(–,)

I heard that Sarangani highlands is an interesting place to visit too, and for nature-tripping, just nearby is a falls, some cave as well and of course the pristine beaches. I am so agitated to share this right away, I actually spent hours looking for the picture I’ve taken of Mt. Apo because its’ donning her unspoiled beauty right in front of the airport. I took it while waiting for my plane to arrive. I hope to catch up soon. Lesson learned: Immediately transfer photos to a usb or keep some media cards handy.

All I can say is that the city deserves its name for all its’ meaning.

Like this:

Hi! I’m Beaut!

They used to call me “Laguna girl”. I grew up in San Pedro, Laguna in the Southern part of the Philippines. An only daughter with an only son.Passionate with so many things. A lover of life itself. First is to write. I used to sing (I specifically love the stage), I read a lot,

I cook simple to challenging recipes for my loved ones, I travel to capture breathtaking pictures (inheriting my passion in Photography from my late father), a nature lover, I find rainbows, butterflies,

flowers,

rainbows and trees as God’s most beautiful gifts.

I love it that traveling allows me try and learn cuisines that are new to me (being a foodie) and I get to meet different people too.

I do abstract painting, I am a Craft enthusiast (quilting & scrap-booking), all of which are my own way of expressing my love for life and surround myself with anything but pretty.

Blogging makes me happy and I want to see if I’m going to click in that premise. Sharing anything that might benefit my circle and mankind too, specifically my fellow Filipinos here and abroad.

I’m a color devotee and been in love with the color purple or violet.

I like pink, red and teal too! =) I dreamt of joining that team who does colorful outdoor murals. Or anything that has to do with the Arts.

Coffee is my water,

and my comfort food are: blueberry cheesecake, frozen yogurt, sansrival and cream puff. I mastered fettuccine carbonara because it is my favorite, along broccoli with prawns and mushrooms.

I love “Stitch” – that grinning indigo pup and still in love with Daryl (remember those muscles in the series “The Walking Dead”).

I have a sort of vintage taste for Interior Designing, Gardening and Fashion (must be the gypsy in me). I am awed by it validating my wondering if I am an old soul.

Ultimately, I intend to be a not so famous Author someday. I’m just waiting for God’s time for my first book to be published.

Please drop by for a comment or two, you are always welcome here, come fly with me “On Purple Wings!”(–,)

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